bookish_dreamery's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
So, this was a good book. It didn’t make me go ‘wow that’s such a great book’ at the end but I’m also not a massive thriller reader. The characters and the settings were interesting. The plot twist was mental!!!! I did find the book kinda hard to understand at some points but overall I think this was a pretty good book.
cncoltre's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly one of the best books I’ve read in a while. Loved the story and the ending.
It was truly a page turner that had you wondering whodunnit until the end, when you finally figure out that there is more than meets the eye.
It was truly a page turner that had you wondering whodunnit until the end, when you finally figure out that there is more than meets the eye.
alyssagirardi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bect's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Found the twist under whelming and dampened the rest of the book
oatsandtotes's review against another edition
3.0
3.5*
This underwhelmed me and I don't really know why. I liked the ending and the twists, but I just kind of... didn't care? But it was still well written and I'd recommend it.
This underwhelmed me and I don't really know why. I liked the ending and the twists, but I just kind of... didn't care? But it was still well written and I'd recommend it.
gabigw's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
elireadsbook's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
laura_mikulic2's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I knew that there was going to be a plot twist but ... wow
(Pls film your reaction to page 318)
(Pls film your reaction to page 318)
robyn_ms's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This has been on my TBR for a while and ended up reading the entire book in one day! I enjoyed the eye for detail and the pace of the book made it an enjoyable read.
I had seen this book blow up on TikTok and lots of raves about the shocking plot twist… without spoiling anything I felt the twist was somewhat predictable but thoroughly enjoyed nonetheless. The characters felt well rounded and the plot was thoroughly thought and overall just very well written. Look forward to rereading it again.
I had seen this book blow up on TikTok and lots of raves about the shocking plot twist… without spoiling anything I felt the twist was somewhat predictable but thoroughly enjoyed nonetheless. The characters felt well rounded and the plot was thoroughly thought and overall just very well written. Look forward to rereading it again.
bumble_abi's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I'll give it kudos, I didn't see the twist coming
still yet to meet a mass market thriller I would rate 5 stars, I think maybe the simple truth is that this is a genre that's never going to truly nail what I'm looking for. the best experience of a twist ending I've ever had was the sixth sense, which I somehow did not have spoiled for me even though I was maybe 26 or 27 when I first watched it. I'm still chasing that sense of dizzying fall, of having the whole plot ripped out from under you, and the way people talk about this book, I thought maybe this would be it. And it wasn't, and maybe that's an impossible standard or maybe it's not something you can experience when you're looking for or expecting it, but nonetheless it's hard not to be disappointed.
Credit where credit's due though, this is so smartly plotted and the writing is great quality. It's set in a psych hospital and while the eponymous patient is well written, the supporting cast are caricatures to a degree. I thought Michalides could have done better there, although the first person narrative voice is able to excuse a multitude of sins as the prejudices of the speaker. The red herrings feel a little obvious as red herrings but it's readable and compulsive and clever enough.
still yet to meet a mass market thriller I would rate 5 stars, I think maybe the simple truth is that this is a genre that's never going to truly nail what I'm looking for. the best experience of a twist ending I've ever had was the sixth sense, which I somehow did not have spoiled for me even though I was maybe 26 or 27 when I first watched it. I'm still chasing that sense of dizzying fall, of having the whole plot ripped out from under you, and the way people talk about this book, I thought maybe this would be it. And it wasn't, and maybe that's an impossible standard or maybe it's not something you can experience when you're looking for or expecting it, but nonetheless it's hard not to be disappointed.
Credit where credit's due though, this is so smartly plotted and the writing is great quality. It's set in a psych hospital and while the eponymous patient is well written, the supporting cast are caricatures to a degree. I thought Michalides could have done better there, although the first person narrative voice is able to excuse a multitude of sins as the prejudices of the speaker. The red herrings feel a little obvious as red herrings but it's readable and compulsive and clever enough.